Governor Stein Proclaims Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, domestic violence, which can include physical, mental, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse, is a means of intimidation and violence to influence and control a partner involved in an intimate relationship; and

Whereas, domestic violence is a pervasive issue that devastates the lives of people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds; and it is a public health crisis and a violation of human rights; and

Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 41 percent of women and 26 percent of men have experienced sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime and reported a related impact; and

Whereas, in fiscal year 2023-2024, more than 55,000 North Carolinians received domestic violence services from victim service agencies funded by the NC Council for Women and Youth Involvement; and

Whereas, from April 2024 to March 2025, 2,631 North Carolinians were referred to the 33 Domestic Violence Intervention Programs for offenders that were available in only 56 North Carolina counties; and

Whereas, in 2024, the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence found evidence of 93 homicide victims who died as a direct result of domestic violence in North Carolina, with at least 74 of the homicides involving a firearm; and

Whereas, historically underserved populations such as LGBT individuals, people of low socioeconomic status, immigrants, people with disabilities, people from racial and ethnic minorities, people with limited English proficiency, and people living in rural locations are disproportionately affected by domestic violence; and

Whereas, by working together, we can build a culture where intimate partner violence is not tolerated and where we support survivors, hold abusers accountable, and work together to create communities where safety, respect, and justice prevail for everyone;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 2025 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all citizens.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-third day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.